Signal flare package



Nov. 13, 1962 R. R. GUNDERsoN 3,063,556

SIGNAL FLARE PACKAGE Filed May ll, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 13, 1962R. R. GuNDl-:RsoN 3,063,556

SIGNAL FLARE PACKAGE Filed May 11, 1959 Y 2 sheets-sheet 2 United StatesPatent O 3,063,556 SIGNAL FLARE PACKAGE Ralph R. Gunderson, 5520 S.Shore Drive, Chicago, lll. Filed May 11, 1959, Ser. No. 812,382 8Claims. (Cl. 2ll6 65) This invention relates to a signal flare package,and more particularly to a holder for carrying a plurality of foldedvehicle signal dares of the type generally `disclosed in my U.S. PatentNo. 2,757,891, issued August 7, l9 56. The flares are carried in highwayvehicles for use in time of emergency to warn traic of a dangerouscondition or a temporary highway obstruction.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved signalare package which conveniently holds signal `flares whennot in use so `as to protect them from damage.

Another object is to provide a holder in which a plurality of signalflares are held together, the base frames of the signal ares cooperatingto form the major portion of the structure protecting th-e flares.

A further object is to provide aholder bracket having a latching meanswhich cooperates with a base frame of one of the ilares to secure anumber vof the flares and the holder bracket together as a signal unit.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a broken side elevational view, partly in section, of thesignal flares secured together on the holder bracket;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken as indicated on line 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational View of the structure shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated on line 4 4 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the holder bracket;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View taken as indicated on line 6 6 of -FIGURE5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a signal are, shownswung to its upright operative position; and f FIGURE 8 is a `brokenfragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of the flarepackage showing a modified holder bracket and vlatching means forretaining the ilares in stacked position.

In the embodiment illustrated, as best shown in FIG- URE 7, each of thesignal ares is shown having a tray- `like base frame, generallydesignated lll, and two sets of reflecting lenses 11 which are mountedon a linkage system, generally designated L, secured t-o the base framet0 permit the lenses to be swun-g from the retracted position within theframe to the upright operative position shown in FIGURE 7. The baseframe has a bottom member 12, side walls 13 and end walls 14 which forma protective open top box for the lenses when not in use.

As illustrated in FIGURES l `and 3, the flares may be placed injuxtaposition with the adjacent side walls 13 in a common plane andadjacent end walls 14 in another common plane, in edge-to-edge relationto -form a housing or package unit closed on six sides. When sopositioned, the lenses of the flares are enclosed and protected on allsides by the base frames 10. The outer flares are positioned with the'bottom member of the base frame facing outwardly, thus exposing on allfour corners a rubber butt-on 15 upon which the flare may be set when inuse.

In order to retain the flares in stacked position, a holder bracket,generally designated 16, is provided which is adapted to cooperativelyengage the ares when not in use. The holder bracket 16 is preferablyU-shaped in conliguration and includes an elongated base portion 16a ICCand a pair of outwardly extending arms 16b formed in-L tegrally with theopposite ends of the base portion 16a. The base portion 16a may beprovided with a pair of spaced holes 17 which may be used to secure theholder bracket to the body of a vehicle in a conventional manner.

Cooperating latching or fastening means are provided at opposite ends ofthe holder bracket 16 to mutually cooperate with the arms 16b and thestacked base frames 10 so as to retain the are package in assembledrelation. As best shown in `FIG. 6, the latching means is preferablyformed from a piece of spring steel and has an elongated shank 22 whichterminates near its outer 'free end in a crimped lip portion 23. Theopposite end of the shank 22 extends through lan aperture 17 in the arm1Gb and is anchored to the base 16a by a headed rivet 20. Su'lcient playor lost motion is provided between the anchored end of the shank 22 andthe rivet 20 so that the shank normally pivots outwardly a limiteddistance 'away from the arm 16h, except when in the latched position, asshown in FIG. l. In the preferred form of the invention, apertures 18are provided in each of the arms 16b to accommodate the nose of the lip23 during latching as will be later explained.

lThe structure -of the present invention is such that the base frames ofthe signal flares can be stacked or threaded on the bracket arms 161:,and the arms will retain the juxtaposed frames in precise alignment forprotection when not in use. To this end, a slot 24 is provided in the'bottom member 12 of base frames 1b, adjacent each of their end walls14. Each slot 24 is slightly larger in dimensions than each of the arms1Gb so that frame 1l) can be impaled on arms 1Gb through slots 24. Slots24 are in alignment when base frames 10 are in the stacked position.Laterally spaced detents are preferably struck inwardly near the upperedge of each end wall 14, substantially in alignment with opposite edgesof each of the slots 24, and act as guides 25 to closely receive thesides or edges of bracket arm 1Gb to prevent binding or twisting 0f theframe members as they are impaled or received on the bracket arms.

In the preferred form of the invention, a latching cutout portion oraperture 26 is provided in each of the end walls 14 of frame 10 forYcooperating latching engagement with the lip 23, as best seen inFIGURES l and 3. When the signal flares are in their assembled, stackedposition, aperture 26 of one of the outermost frames will be positionedadjacent notch 1S on the bracket arm 1Gb. As can best be seen in FIGUREl, to effect latching, the spring shank 22 is swung inwardly toward theend walls of the package, and the latching lip 23 lis sprung upwardlyinto frictional engagement with the edge of the cut-out portion 26 tohold the stacked frames snugly together on the holder bracket. The notch18 affords a convenient recess for the inwardly projecting end of thelatching lip 23.

The holder bracket illustrated in the accompanying drawings is of a sizeto receive three flares although one could be formed to accommodate agreater or a lesser number. Ordinarily, three flares are carried by avehicle in order that one may be placed adjacent the vehicle whenstopped on the road, and one at a distance from the vehicle in eitherdirection.

To place the ares in the holder so that they are in a position toprotect the lenses against breakage, each are is folded to its retractedposition. Spring clips 22 are disengaged from notches 18 in bracket arm16h and, due to their swingable connections to connecting rivets 20,they will hang loosely a limited distance from the sides of the bracketarm 16b. Each tray-like frame 10 is then impaled on bracket arm 16bthrough slots 24 in bottom wall 12. Guides 25 on end walls 14 enable theframes to slide onto the bracket arms without binding or twisting. Theframes are manually placed side by side with the base of the outer aresfacing outwardly. In this manner, the ares are all inside of a housingformed by the' assembled frame members ofthe flares themselves. Theouter surface of bottom wall 12 of the innermost are on the bracket willstand on connecting rivets 20, thus positioning subsequently placed aresso that apertures 26 of the outermost flare will be opposite notches 18on the bracket arms 1Gb. Latch 23 of spring clip 22 is then sprungthrough aperture 26 of the outermost frame member. The outer flare beinglocked in this position, securely retains the inner ares mounted on thebracket arms 16h. The lenses are protected against road shock since theframes of the signal ares are held tightly together in this position.

A modication of the preferred embodiment is shown in FiG. 8. The lipportion 123 near the end of the spring shank y122 is considerably longerthan in the preferred form of the invention, and the bottom edge ofaperture 126 -in the end wall is slightly below the bottom edge of slot18 in the :bracket arm. Thus when the lip portion 123 is sprunginwardly, it passes through the aperture 126 and frictionally engagesthe bottom edge of slot 18 to securely retain the signal iiares in theirstacked position. In all other ways, the modiiied device performs in thesame manner as the preferred form of the invention.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, for some modifications will be obvious to those skilled inthe art.

I claim:

l. A signal flare package, comprising: at least a pair of signal ar'es,each having a base frame provided with a bottom wall, opposed side wallsand opposed end walls, said frames being positioned with their sideWalls and end walls in edgelto-edge relation respectively to form ahousing closed on six sides, each of said bottom walls being provided-with a slot positioned adjacent each ot said end walls for alignmentwith a corresponding .slot in the adjacent 'base frame, and each of saidend walls having 'a pair of guides laterally spaced for substantialalignment with an opposite pair of edges Yot' each of said slots; anelongated bracket provided at each of its opposite ends with anoutwardly extending arm having a latching portion near its free end,each of said arms snugly fitting in said slots and between said guidemembers for retainingalignrnent of said base frames; and a spring latchon each of the opposite ends; of said bracket, said spring latch beingswingably mounted and shaped for releasable engagement with saidlatching portion whereby said engagement `securely maintains said signalflares :in protected position on the bracket.

2. A `signal are package, comprising: at least two signal ares, eachhaving a base trarne provided with a bottom wall, opposed side walls,and opposed end walls provided with cut-out portions, said frames beingpositioned with their side walls and end walls in edge-to-edge relationrespectively to form a housing closed on six sides, each of said bottomwalls being provided with a 'slot positioned adjacent each of said endWalls for alignment with a corresponding slot in the adjacent baseframe, vand each of said end walls having a pair of guides laterallyspaced for substantial alignment with an opposite pair of edges of eachof said slots; an elongated bracket, said bracket provided with anoutwardly extending arm at each of its opposite ends, Vsaid arms snuglyfitting in said slots and between said guide members for retainingalignment of said base frames, the upper portion of each arm beingprovided with a notch in substantial align- Yment with the cut-outportion Vin the adjacent end wall of the upper base frame, each of saidarms being provided with an opening adjacent said elongated bracket; aspring Vlatch swingably fastened near each end of said bracket VandIextending through said opening in the Abracket arm, the free end ofeach of said latches having Ya -lip 'portion extending through itsrespective cut-out portion into cooperating latching engagement with itsnotch in the bracket arm for releasably securing said signal are inprotected position on the bracket.

3. A `signal flare package, comprising: a pair of signal ares eachhaving a base frame formed by a bottom wall and a peripherally extendingprotective wall upstanding from the bottom Wall, the base frames havingperipherally positioned guide portions adapted for alignment when thebase `frames. are juxtaposed with their protective walls in edge-to-edgeabutment to form a closed housing; a bracket positioned beneath thelower base frame and having a guide arm adapted to iit within saidaligned guide portions to cooperate therewith in aligning the upper andthe lower base frames; and a pair of opposed springy latch members onthe bracket for yieldably engaging laterally opposed portions of thewall of the upper base frame of the closed housing to hold said baseframes snugly together.

4. A signal are package, comprising: a pair of signal ares each having abase trarne provided with a bottom wall and a protective wall opstandingfrom the bottom wall along substantially the entire periphery thereof,the opposite sides of each of said base lframes having guide portionsadapted for alignment when the base frames are juxtaposed with theirprotective walls in edge-to-edge abutment to form a closed housing; abracket positioned beneath the lower base frame and having a guide armat each of its opposite ends adapted to tit within said aligned guideportions to align the upper and the lower base frames; and a latchmember on each of the opposite ends of the bracket for engaging oppositeends of the upper base frame of the housing to retain said base framessnugly together.

5. A signal iiare package, comprising: a pair of signal iiares eachhaving a base frame formed by a bottom wall and a peripherally extendingprotective wall upstanding from the bottom wall and defining a latchingportion, the -base frames having peripherally positioned guide slotsadapted for alignment when the base frames are juxtaposed with theirprotective walls in edge-toedge abutment to form a closed housing; abracket positioned beneath the lower base frame and having a guide armadapted to pass successively through said aligned guide slots tocooperate therewith in aligning the upper and the lower base frames; anda latch member having a shank portion connected to the bracket and adistal lip portion for engaging the latching portion of the upper baseframe of the closed housing, the lip portion being located on the shankportion to be sprung away from the bracket thereby to hold said baseframes snugly together.

6. A signal flare package, comprising a pair of signal flares eachVhaving a base frame provided with a bottom wall and a protective wallupstanding .from the bottom wall along substantially the entireperiphery thereof, the opposite sides of each of said base frames havingguide slots adapted for alignment when the base frames are juxtaposedwith their protective walls in edge-to-edge abutment to form a closedhousing; a bracket positioned beneath the lower base frame and having aguide arm at each of its opposite ends adapted to pass successivelythrough said aligned guide slots to align the upper and the lower baseframes; and a latch member on each of the opposite ends of the bracketfor engaging opposite ends of the upper base portion of the housing toretain said base frames snugly together.

7. A signal flare package, comprising: a pair of signal ares each havinga base frame provided with a bottom wall and opposed side walls, theopposite sides of each of the base frames having guide portions adaptedfor alignment when the base frames are juxtaposed with 'their side wallsin edge-to-edge abutment; a bracket positioned beneath the lower baseframe and having a guide arm at each of its opposite ends adapted to titwithin ysaid aligned guide portions to align the upper.

and lower base frames; and a latch member on each of the opposite endsof the bracket for engaging opposite ends of the upper base frame toretain said base frames snugly together.

8. A signal are package, comprising: a pair of signal flares each havinga base frame provided with a bottom wall and opposed side walls, theopposite sides of each of said base frames having guide portions adaptedfor alignment when the -base frames are juxtaposed with their side Wallsin edge-to-edge abutment; a bracket positioned beneath the lower baseframe and having a guide arm at each of its opposite ends adapted to twithin said aligned guide portions to align the upper and lower baseframes, the free end portion of each of said guide arms being providedwith a latching portion; and a latch member on each of the opposite endsof the bracket each movable to a position adjacent and abo-ve a portionof one of the opposite ends of the upper base frame and into engagementwith a latching portion on one of the guide arms to retain the baseframes snugly together.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,476,009 Suss et al. Dec. 4, 1923 2,525,728 Sauer Oct. 10, 19502,763,369 Gunderson Sept. 18, 1956 2,873,082 Gillespie Feb. 10, 19592,895,599 Moyer et al. July 21, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 12,444 GreatBritain 1899

